How To Get Rid Of Acne: Cutting Out Sugar

 

    Entering high school is a pivotal turning point in everyone's life, and even though it's where some of the best memories can be made, every teen has their lows. Mine was acne. One day, I woke up and was a thirteen-year-old girl, raving over how excited I was to be going into high school – the next, I was fifteen, at the height of puberty with my hormones all over the place. 

    I quickly realized that I wasn’t a little girl anymore who could stay up all night, stuffing my face with every sugary-carb-packed snack I wanted. These actions would now have consequences. It didn’t matter if I used the most expensive skin-care products in the world, and stopped wearing makeup every day, my skin was a disaster. After struggling with acne from my freshman year up to my senior year, it became my greatest insecurity that I had no clue how to fix. And so, I decided to do some research. Eventually, I identified the problem. Hormonal acne. 

    Aside from puberty and monthly cycles, causing hormones to be all over the place in teen girls, your diet is a huge part. I was eating an excessive amount of sweets and bread, while being extremely dehydrated most days. This imbalance was causing all kinds of turmoil in my body without me ever knowing. Though skincare and dermatologist visits can help, you have to start healing on the inside. So, I created a diet catered to me and my skin, which I think can help give others some insight into their own.

    From mid-January to mid-July of 2025, I completely cut out sugar. No exceptions. Not even for holidays or birthdays. I drank a minimum of four water bottles a day and limited my bread intake. I'll admit, it was very difficult, especially at first. But over time, my food cravings subsided. 

    The first week was the hardest. I felt nauseated, exhausted, and had migraines constantly. These awful symptoms were my body's reaction to all the sugar leaving my system, which usually happens after two to three days. This made me realize how much my body was dependent on sweets; it’s where I got most of my energy, and without my morning coffee each day, I was barely able to function. 

    After I accomplished week one, everything after that was a breeze. I replaced any sugar with honey and realized how much more I enjoy it. All my go-to breakfast treats, like donuts and toaster shrudels, were soon replaced with jam on toast and granola bars. Over the months, I saw a drastic difference not only in my skin, but my mood. The dark spots and blemishes on my face soon faded, and breakouts became less common for me. My sleep schedule improved considerably; I found myself naturally waking up early and going to sleep before nine o’clock each night. 

    But not only did my skin improve, my general health and fitness did as well. I became more active, and my naturally lean figure appeared more toned. Now, after six months without sugar, I’ve slowly incorporated sweets back into my diet, but here's how I maintain my results. 

For one, I know when to say no to certain sugars. Soda is a beverage I’ve committed to never drinking again, and calorie-filled places like Crumbl Cookie, I make sure to stay away from. Also, I never have sugar on weekdays. I make exceptions for special occasions, of course, but Monday through Friday is usually strict. On weekends, I give myself grace; this is when I might have a cup of coffee or some dessert after dinner – all in moderation. 

    Lastly, I’ve made changes to my skincare routine. Mixing all kinds of products from different brands can be counterproductive and do more harm than good. Instead, stick to one. Furthermore, visiting a professional is a great choice. I try to get chemical peels every two to three months and shy away from treatments like micro-needling, which can have negative side effects on melanated skin. 

    Today, my face looks better than it ever has; altering my sugar intake has made me hyper-aware of what I’m putting in my body. I rarely get pimples or breakouts, and when I do, I’ve learned not to pick or interfere with them. Closer to my desired skin than ever – I continue with my new habits and routines. And I recommend you try them too!